The day has finally come—Laura's coming‑of‑age ceremony and her engagement announcement to Grand Duke Anwyl. I may not have had a wink of sleep, but that is nearly irrelevant today; every fiber of exhaustion seems to have prepared me for a day destined to be unforgettable.
This is the beginning of the novel's new chapter in my life. I remind myself, with both irony and purpose, that today I must keep my wits about me. Every minute, every interaction might unfold according to a script written by fate—or worse, by the book itself.
I resolve not to let my pretty head, so carefully cultivated over the years, come undone by unexpected events. I cannot allow my focus to waver even for a moment.
I stepped out of my chambers clad in a burgundy off‑shoulder gown that clings delicately to my curves. The gown features a daring above‑knee slit that hints at both elegance and rebellion, and it is accented by carefully chosen ruby jewelry and hair accessories.
